Do You Need a License for Reiki in Missouri?

This is unclear. Missouri defines massage therapy as treating the body's tonus system through scientific or skillful touching, rubbing, pressing or other movements of the soft tissues, for relaxation, therapeutic, remedial or health maintenance purposes. Light touch for relaxation could be read as skillful touching of soft tissue, and violations are a class A misdemeanor.

No exemption names Reiki, energy work, polarity or therapeutic touch. The exemptions that exist apply only after you file written proof with the board, and they cover people who act under another Missouri license, limit soft tissue work to the hands, feet or ears, use touch and words to deepen awareness of movement patterns, or work only above the neck, below the elbow and below the knee without the client disrobing. None clearly fits a typical hands-on Reiki session, and no board ruling on Reiki was found.

Yes. The massage definition requires touching or moving soft tissue, so no-touch and distance work fall outside it. Missouri law makes it unlawful for anyone who is not a licensed physician to practice medicine or to profess to cure and attempt to treat the sick. Keep your descriptions to relaxation, balance and well-being.

No. The law defines a massage therapist as someone who provides services at no cost or for a fee, monetary or otherwise. Working for free does not take touch-based sessions outside the massage law.

If you are not licensed and not exempt, you may not use the words massage, body work or any synonym on any sign or other advertising unless the board specifically exempts you. Missouri businesses also may not employ or contract unlicensed people to provide massage therapy.

Avoid any claim that your work cures or treats illness.

Missouri's massage law preempts city and county rules on licensing or regulating massage therapists and massage businesses. Cities and counties may still apply zoning rules, local health department rules and occupational license taxes, so check local zoning and business tax requirements.

Ask the Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage in writing before you use touch. Missouri's exemptions take effect only after a practitioner files written proof with the board, which is unusual, so the board is the place to settle where your work fits.